Automatic elevator gate



L. E.: MARTIN.

AUTOMATIC ELEVATOR GATE. APPLICATION FILI-:D MAYII. 1920.

l ,426,663 Patented Aug. 22, 1922.

l I I. I I. l

L. E. MARTIN.

AUTOMATIC ELEVATOR GATE.

APPLICATION mso mmh-1920.

1,426,663. Patented Aug. 22, w22;

2 SHEETS-SHEET, 2,

me/whom? PATENT @FFMC LYNN ERVINE MARTIN, OF 'PAI-JUGAR, KENTUCKY.

AUTOMATIC ELEVATOR GATE.

Application filed May 11,

To /LZZ whom t fnmjz/ concern:

Be it known that l, LYNN EnviNn MAR- 'riN, a citizen of the llnited States, residing at Paducah, in the county of McCracken and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Automatic Elevator Gate, .of which the following is a specification.

The present invention has reference to gates or guards for closing elevator shafts. the primary object being to provide means for rendering the elevator shaft lire-proof and at the same time guard against persons walking into an open shaft.

A further object of the invention is tov provide novel means of this character especially designed for use in connection with freight elevators, and one which will be automatic in its operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a guard which will operate by its contact with the elevator moving in the shaft, which the elevator closes, thus insuring the opening and closing of the gate or guard, when the elevator is operated by persons unfamiliar with police and fire regulations.

With the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 illustrates a front elevational view of the lower gate;

Figure 2 illustrates a front elevational view of the same, showing the gate partly broken away, to illustrate the connection between the supporting members and the curtain, forming a part of the gate;

Figure 3 illustrates a side elevational view of the upper gate employed for closing the lower door of the shaft;

Figure 4 illustrates a side elevational view of the gate closing the upper door of the shaft;

Fi ure 5 illustrates a sectional detail view, shrwing the supporting pipe and curtain; an

Figure 6 illustrates a front elevational view showing the guard as in its closed or' folded position.y

Specification of Letters Patent. Pater] tad Aug', 22, 1922,

1920. Serial No. 380,655.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the reference character 5 designates the front wall of an elevator shaft, which is provided with opposed. vertical grooves 6, formed by the vertical guide,u members 7, which are secured to opposite 'sides of the wall 5.

The gate proper is indicated by the reference character 8, and includes a flexible body portion formed preferably .of asbestos, the length and width of which asbestos is equal to the height and width of theopening `to be closed by the gate, so thatwhen the gate is in its extended position, the opening will be entirely closed.

Carried by the inner surface of the flexible body portion, are the horizontally disposed bracing elements 9, that are in the form of metallic pipe sections which are secured to the body portion by means of the strap members 10 disposed adjacent to the ends of the bracing elements 9, and as shown these bracing elements 9 are disposed in suitable spaced relation with each other to permit the body portion of the gate to fold between the elements 9.

Carried by the side walls 11 of the elevator shaft. are the track-ways 12, which track-ways accommodate the ends of the operating rod 13 which extends transversely of the shaft and lies within the path of travel of the arm 14 forming an extension of the lower beam 15. of the elevator.

This operating rod has connection with the lower portion of the gate 8. through the medium of the exible connecting member 16, which operates over the roller 17, carried by the bracket 18 which in turn is supported adjacent the upper edge of the opening of the shaft. and since the upper end of the gate proper has connection with one wall of the elevator shaft as by means of the flexible connection 19, the upper end of the gate proper is maintained in proper relation with the elevated shaft.

From the foregoing it is obvious that when the elevator descends, the arms 14 thereof contact with the operating rod 13 to carry the operating rod downwardly to the lower end of the shaft. with the result that the gate proper moves upwardly, portions thereof folding between the elements 9 to open the shaft to permit of access to and from the elevator. Upon movement of the elevator in the opposite direction,l the gate pro er unfolds to an entende position, due to t el weight of the bracing e` ments 9 fall-4 ing by gravity to the limits of their vdowni ward movement.

the upper opening of the shaft, is similar to that described, since the same includes a `Flexible body portion 8, which supports the bracing elements 9 in spaced relation with each other, the spacing elements 9 having their ends operating 1n the grooves or track'- ways l formed in the side walls Iof the 'opening which the gate closes.

Connecting the adjacent lower bracing;

elements 9', is a vertical coupling ll which" provides means Yfor connecting thev horizontal arms 12 to the gate, and since these arms l2 are carrled at opposite ends of the'lower yelements 9i, it is obvious that when the elevator, the top of which is indicated' by the reference character 13', contacts with the horizontal arms 12, the gate proper is Vfolded during- 'the movement of the elevator `vator has reached the limit of its upward upwardly, withithe result that when the elemovement, the gate position.

lproper is in a folded It' follows that whenthe elevator moves downwardly, theiweight of the bracing elements 9 will cause the gate proper to iin- The gate structure Wlnchooerates to close v4fold, and" assume extended, or closed position.

' HavingV VVthus described the invention,

and having` connection with'the gate, and an arm carriedby the elevator and contactlng with the 'rod tol move the gate to a11`,open position. v`

ln testimony thatjl claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aiXed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

rnrifnv'A ERVINE MARTIN llVitnes'ses: Y

` EZEL'LE LINDsEY, 'l

SL E'. FOREMAN.' i 

